Audio By Carbonatix
Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr, are banned from registering new players until they settle a debt with Leicester City, FIFA said on Thursday.
Al Nassr were ordered to pay Leicester €460,000 ($513,000) plus annual interest of 5% in an October 2021 ruling by a FIFA-appointed judge at its players' status committee.
Leicester filed the complaint in April 2021 because of unpaid additional clauses due from the €18m ($20m) sale of Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa in 2018.
Al Nassr -- which was taken under majority ownership last month by the $700 billion sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund -- can still sign new players though not register them to play.
"The club Al Nassr is currently prevented from registering new players due to outstanding debts," FIFA said Thursday. "The relevant bans will be lifted immediately upon the settlement of the debts being confirmed by the creditors concerned."
Al Nassr's signing of Ronaldo as a free agent in January sparked an unprecedented spree of spending by clubs in the Saudi Pro League, with four now majority-owned by PIF. The fund is chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Al Nassr signed Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic this month from Inter Milan in a transfer reportedly valued at €18m ($20m).
Al Nassr are in Portugal on a preseason training camp. On Aug. 22, they have a qualifying playoff in the Asian Champions League. Al Nassr will host Shabab Al Ahli of United Arab Emirates or Jordan's Al Wehdat.
Musa left Riyadh-based Al Nassr in 2020 and played last season with Sivasspor in Turkey.
Latest Stories
-
Multimedia’s David Andoh selected among international journalists covering  PLANETech 2025 in Israel
2 hours -
Gov’t prioritising real action over slogans – Kwakye Ofosu
3 hours -
England are tough, but we can play against Ghana, Panama – Croatia coach reacts to World Cup draw
4 hours -
Togbe Afede urges Ghanaians to support made-in-Ghana products
4 hours -
We can beat anyone – Otto Addo reacts to World Cup draw
4 hours -
Chief Justice urges judicial staff to uphold compassion and professionalism
4 hours -
MTN Ghana partners open vegetable centre of excellence
5 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Mensah brace fires All Blacks to victory over Eleven Wonders
5 hours -
This Saturday on Newsfile: Petitions against the OSP, EC heads, and 2025 WASSCE results
6 hours -
Ambassador urges U.S. investors to prioritise land verification as Ghana courts more investment
6 hours -
Europe faces an expanding corruption crisis
6 hours -
Ghana’s Dr Bernard Appiah appointed to WHO Technical Advisory Group on alcohol and drug epidemiology
6 hours -
2026 World Cup: Ghana drawn against England, Croatia and Panama in Group L
7 hours -
3 dead, 6 injured in Kpando–Aziave road crash
7 hours -
Lightwave eHealth accuses Health Ministry of ‘fault-finding’ and engaging competitor to audit its work
7 hours
